Ch 6

Launching the new nation

Washington’s PresidencyWith the ratification of

the constitution it was understood that George Washington would be the nation’s first executive.

In April of 1789, Washington was elected unanimously (John Adams was VP).

He was reluctant about taking the job, but nevertheless set out for New York (first capital).

Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of StateAlexander Hamilton – Secretary of TreasuryHenry Knox – Secretary of War

Washington’s Administration

Hamilton’s viewsStrong central govt. Educated upper

class would leadFear of mob ruleLoose interpretation

of constitutionEconomy based on

Trade and industry

State and local govt. share power with fed. Govt.

Democracy of ordinary people

Fear of absolute powerStrict interpretation of

constitutionEconomy based on

farming

Philosophical difference between Jefferson and Hamilton

Jefferson’s views

Hamilton’s financial planThe biggest

challenge that the new nation and administration faced was financial ones.

Hamilton proposed the following financial plan1. Pay off foreign

debt2. Assume the debt of

the states3. Creation of a

federal bank (Bank of the U.S.)

Opposition to Hamilton's planSome thought creating a bank would start

a trend of govt. favoritism of wealthy business interests

Southerners especially disliked the plan because

1. most southern states had paid off most of their debt

2.It seemed to favor the north and rich merchants

A NEW CAPITAL CITYIn order to gain

southern support Hamilton proposed moving the capital from New York to Virginia

In 1790 the Debt bill passed and the capital was moved to the District of Columbia

A French Engineer Pierre L’Enfant designed the new capital city

Because of the sharp differences of T. Jefferson and A. Hamilton and Hamilton’s Financial Plan the first two political parties developed

Supporters of Hamilton called themselves Federalists

Supporters of Jefferson called themselves Democrat-Republicans

First Political Parties

Whiskey Rebellion In 1789 Congress passed a protective tariff designed

to raise revenue.With the tariff a excise tax was also placed on Whiskey

(a tax on a products manufacture, sale, or distribution)This made back country famers extremely mad b/c

that was there main source of revenueSome refused to pay the tax, some beat up federal

marshals, threatened to leave the union and burned collectors barns.

George Washington personally led thousands of militia to put down the rebellion

*** Importance – Federal government showed its strength and willingness to act on domestic issues.

Another major issue facing the young country was the violent natives west of the Appalachian Mountains

Encouraged by the British and feeling hostile because the U.S. wouldn’t negotiate with them to keep tribal lands Natives attacked Settlers in the Ohio valley

Settlers v. Natives

Hostile Native actionsLittle Turtle- a chief of the Miami tribe defeated

federal armies led by numerous generalsBattle of Fallen Timbers – appointed by Washington to

lead troops against the Miami tribe, General Anthony Wayne defeated the Miami Confederacy in 1794.

Pinckney's treaty and Jay's Treaty

1795 Spain gave up all claims east of the Mississippi to the U.S. (except Florida)

Spain also agreed to open up travel on the Mississippi River to U.S. Citizens.

Jay’s Treaty – 1794 John Jay chief justice of the Supreme Court signed a treaty with Great Britain Britain agreed to evacuate

posts in the Northwest territories, if the British were allowed to continue trading fur south of the U.S. Canada border

Since Washington was the first President, he established a lot of the precedents for how a President exercises the powers stated and not stated in the ConstitutionEstablished The Cabinet or advisors

(presidential helpers, which was not listed in the Constitution)

Established the policy of neutrality in foreign wars (followed by the U.S. until WW I)

Serve only 2 terms or eight years as presidentEstablished the tradition of a Presidential

Farewell address.Introduced ideas of a national bank.

Executive precedents set by Washington

Washington’s Resignation and Death

In 1797, Washington retired and gave up the presidency.

In His Farewell address he warned Americans of entangling alliance with European nations and the danger of political parties dividing the country.

Certain kings and other rulers around the world commented that Washington must be a great man to willingly give up that much power.

He finally was able to remove himself from public affairs and live a quiet life back at Mt. Vernon.

Washington’s deathDecember 14, 1799 Washington died after

catching a cold, while riding throughout his property.

The U.S.’s Founding Father death was felt throughout the nation and the world as Napoleon ordered ten days of mourning in France.

Adams is elected Prez In 1796 John Adams

narrowly defeated the Democratic –Republican candidate Thomas Jefferson.

Following the directives written in the constitution Jefferson became the VP.

Adam’s first major crisis as President came in the form of conflict with France.

Relations with France had gotten bad after Jay’s treaty, when French officials started seizing U.S. ships and refusing American diplomats.

President Adams sent a 3 man team to discuss these issues with French foreign minister Talleyrand.

Three low level officials ,whom Adams referred to as officials as X,Y, and Z, tried to demand payment of 250,000 to see Talleyrand.

Americans and President Adams were furious and anti-French feelings were High.

Although official war between France and the U.S. was never declared the two countries fought naval battles on the seas

XYZ Affair

• Alien ActsRaised residence requirements for becoming a

citizen from 5 to 14 yearsAllowed the President to put any alien

(foreigner) out of the country or in jail if they wanted

Sedition Act – set fines and jail terms for anyone making negative statements towards the government

*** These acts were passed by Federalists because of the Anti- French feelings and many immigrants were active in the Democratic – Republican party.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

In opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts James Madison wrote up a set of proposals which became the Virginia Proposal

T. Jefferson wrote resolutions that were passed in Kentucky

The Kentucky resolution also asserted the principle of nullification, which said that states had the right to nullify or void any act of Congress that it considered unconstitutional.

Election of 1800 Once again Thomas Jefferson

(Dem - Rep) and John Adams (Fed) were competing for the Presidency

The Democrat –Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr defeated Adams, but wound up with the same number of electoral college votes.

The House of Rep. then had to decide which would be president.

Alex Hamilton was influential in Jefferson gaining the Presidency.

The election showed a flaw in the electing process and led to the 12th Amendment

Hard feelings between Burr and Hamilton led to dual in which Hamilton was killed.

Characteristics of Jefferson and His PresidencyHe believed in simple governmentHe tried to reduce the royalty of the office of

President, (He walked to his inauguration as a symbolic gesture)

He believed that the people were the source of a govt.’s power, so he paid closer attention to the common man

He proposed a laissez faire policy by the govt. Jefferson was extremely well educated and

his collection of books became the library of Congress

Louisiana Purchase In 1803 the U.S.

purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars

Why did Napoleon sell that much territory? He had abandoned

hopes of an American empire b/c of problems controlling Saint Dominique

Wanted to focus on Europe

He thought a stronger U.S.A. would rival Britain’s power

Exploring the new territoryJefferson was eager to learn about the newly

acquired territory Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory

He set the following objectives for them; find sources of Mississippi, find route across Rocky Mountains to Pacific

OceanObserve customs of the natives they metNote the features of the land, weather, plants

and animals.Sacajawea – A native lady who served as an

interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark

Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea

Judiciary Act of 1801 John Adams wanted to

fill federal judge positions with Federalists who held positions for life and therefore could shape national policy for a long time.

So just before he left office he had the Judiciary act of 1801 passed, which increase the number of federal judges by 16.

These judges were called Midnight Judges.

Marbury v. MadisonMarbury vs. Madison-

Monumental supreme court case that established the principle of judicial review

*Judicial Review- The power by the Judicial Branch or Supreme Court to decide whether laws passed by Congress were Constitutional

War of 1812 James Madison was

president of the U.S. during the War of 1812.

He listed these 3 causes for the war

Impressments – British officials were seizing Americans and forcing them to serve in the British Navy.

Chesapeake incident – British warship tried to stop the American ship, (Chesapeake) when the ship refused the British fired on the ship killing 3 and wounding 18 Americans.

British officials were encouraging natives to attack settlers and U.S. Army posts.

The Course of the WarAfter President Madison declared war, the

British captured Detroit and defeated an American army invading Canada.

In 1813 the Americans started winning some victories and retook Detroit.

There were three significant battles in the war.

Important Battles Battle of Washington-

B/c of the British dominance at sea (Navy) they raided towns and cities along the ATL. Coast

In 1814 British entered the capital and burned the White House, capital and other govt. buildings

Baltimore A few weeks after the

battle of Washington, the British failed to take the city of Baltimore.

Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner during this battle

New Orleans After the war was over

Jan. 1815 Andy Jackson won a great victory over British forces

He also defeated the Creek in the famous battle of Horseshoe Bend (AL)

Treaty of GhentDecember 24, 1814

Great Britain and the U.S. signed an armistice – agreement to stop fighting.

No territory changed hand nor were any of the issues that caused the war addressed or solved

Both sides were eager for peace.

Opener – Quote"There are two levers for moving men,

interest and fear"Napoleon Bonaparte

In class ScheduleHomework

Day 1

What southern state is the only state with laws not based on British Law?

In class ScheduleHomework

Day 2

Opener:If you could change any law in the U.S. which

law would you change? Why?In class ScheduleHomework

Day 3

Opener – quote"All it takes for evil to prevail is for good

people to do nothing"Bruce Edwards

In class ScheduleHomework

Day 4

Opener-Trivia What president’s portrait is on a two dollar

bill?In class ScheduleHomework

Day 5